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Covering investment rarely considered by car buyers

Author/Source: Robin Roberts

9th September 2018

A new car loses approximately 20% of its value when it is driven off the showroom forecourt, and cars lose between 15 – 20% of their value each year, however, different makes, models and even colours will all hold and lose their value differently.

Depreciation is the difference between what you paid for a car and the amount you can get back when you sell or trade it in. It is often ignored or forgotten about when people are purchasing a car, but for car owners who like to change their car regularly the financial effect can be significant.

When 2000 UK drivers were asked about depreciation in an Opinium survey, commissioned by InsuretheGap.com, an independent provider of GAP or Guaranteed Asset Protection car insurance, almost a third (31%) said they did not consider depreciation when buying a car, despite having a full understanding of it; and over one in 10 drivers (14%) said all cars depreciate at the same rate, rising to one in five (20%) under 34s.

A study by InsuretheGap into how the top ten best-selling petrol cars in 2017 held their value from new in 2013 to 2018, found that, over the five-year period, all the featured cars had lost almost half their original value with the Mini Cooper depreciating the least, by 49%, and the Ford Fiesta the most, by 65%.

“All cars depreciate in value over time but picking whether your new car will drop like a stone or hold more of its value as it ages is a useful factor to take into account during the buying process,” said Ben Wooltorton, Chief Operating Officer at InsuretheGap.com.

“Depreciating factors that affect the value of a vehicle regardless of its make and model include things like mileage, number of previous owners, service history, general condition and colour, whereas reliability, safety, and reputation tend to apply to specific makes or manufacturers and typically do not change over the course of ownership,” he said.

Best sellers

March 2013

Price now

Loss %

Retained value 1 worst – 10 best

Ford Fiesta

1.4 3d Hatchback, 5 speed Man, Petrol

£12,175

£4,320

65%

1

VW Golf

1.4 3d Hatchback, 5 speed Man, Petrol

£13,430

£6,110

55%

6

Ford Focus

1.6 5d Hatchback, 5 speed Man, Petrol

£15,830

£5,980

62%

3

Nissan Qashqai

1.6 5d Hatchback, 5 speed Man, Petrol

£17,905

£8,190

54%

7

Vauxhall Corsa

1.4 3d Hatchback, 5 speed Man, Petrol

£15,940

£ 5,660

64%

2

Vauxhall Astra

1.4 5d Hatchback, 5 speed Man, Petrol

£14,750

£5,750

61%

4

VW Polo

1.4 3d Hatchback, 5 speed Man, Petrol

£12,900

£6,390

51%

9

Mini Cooper

1.6 3d Hatchback, 6 speed Man, Petrol

£18,005

£9,240

49%

10

Mercedes C-class

1.6 4d Saloon, 6 speed Man, Petrol

£27,740

£11,350

59%

5

Mercedes A-class

1.6 5d Hatchback, 6 speed Man, Petrol

£18,890

£9,160

52%

8

Depreciation can also affect the amount of money that car owners can claim from their insurance company in the event that their car is written off or stolen.

“If a two-year old car is involved in accident and is written off an insurer will only pay out on its current market value, rather than the original price,” said Ben Wooltorton. “This could leave car owners still owing money on outstanding finance agreements for a car that no longer exists.”

About 44% of under 34s, when asked by Opinium, did not know that if a car is written off, or stolen, 18 months after purchase, the insurance company, even with a fully comprehensive insurance policy, will pay out only the car’s current market value amount and not the price the car was bought for.

Guaranteed Asset Protection insurance can help bridge the gap between what you paid for a car and the amount you receive from your insurer if you make a claim, in the event your vehicle is written off or stolen.